Knockdown drop-body vehicle.



No. 717,903. PATBNTEDJAN, 1903.

" A. G. NORTH.

KNooKDoWN DROP 130m?A VBHIGLB. APILIQATIONv FILED APR. 14, 19'02.

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PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903.

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l KNouKnowN-DROP VEHICLE..

APPLIQATQN FILED APR. 4 1902.

y No. 717,903.

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KNOCKDOWN DROP-BODY VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,903, dated January 6, 1903.

Appleman ined apra 14, 1902.

To all whom/it may concern;

Beit known that I, ALBERT G.NORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pontiac, in the county of Oakland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Drop-Body Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to vehicle-bodies of that class in which aportion of theplatform or ooring of the body is dropped down between the axles:

It is the object of the present invention to obtain a construction of drop-body which is adapted to be shipped in knockdown condition and when assembled will have all the strength of one in which the body is not dropped.

With this object in view the invention consists in the constructionas hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal section ofthe body. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of a portion of the body. Fig.-3 is a perspective View of the various parts in knockdown condition.

Generally described, the body comprises a platform-section A, atop section B, anda plurality of panels, forming the sides and ends of the body, which are rigidly clamped in position between the top and platform by means of stay-bolts. The platform A is formed of front and rear sections ct and b, which are centrally separated from each other, but are connected through the medium of a drop portion c. The sections u, and h are formed by side and end sills framed together and connected .bya iiooring, as shown in Fig. 3. The drop portion c is provided with side strips d, framed together, and is also preferably strengthened by a metallic angle-brace aforming a facing for the side strip d. The plat form is supported upon therunning-gear, preferably of the following construction.

C and D are respectively the front and rear axles.

E represents transversely-extending springs clipped or otherwise secured to the front axle C and centrally connected to the lower member F of the circle. The upper member G of the circle is bolted or rigidly secured to cross- Serial Nox 102,865. (No model.)

bars f, extending across between the side sills of the platform. The axle C is also provided with a draft connection to the dropped portion of the vehiclebody, which, as shown, comprises a member H, rigidly connected to the axle, and a link member I, pivoted to the member I-I in vertical alinement with the king bolt or pivot ofthe circle-plate. The member I at its rear end is vertically adjustably secured to the drop portions c of the body by means ot' the bracket J, having a vertically-extending rodto which the member I is slidingly secured.

The rear axle D has secured thereto a pair 0f Iongitudinally-extending springs K, which are connected at their free ends with transverse springs L, the latter being secured to the cross-bars M on the platform.

The structure' as thus far described would be comparatively weak, as the separate sections a and ZJ of the platform are connected only through the medium of the drop portion c. The metallic braces e are used to strengthen this connection; but it would nevertheless be inadequate to supply the necessary strength. I have therefore devised a construction of superstructure which is adapted to form a truss for bracing the platform in the following manner: The sides of the superstructure are formed by front and rear panels N and O, respectivelyarranged forward and rear of the drop portion c. These panels are provided with tenons g, adapted to engage with with mortises h inthe sills of the platform.

P and Q are front and rear panels extend- `ing between the pairs of panels N and O and preferably having a Vtongue-and-groove engagement therewith.

To secure the parts in position, the top B is placed on top of the panels N, O, P, and Q, and stay-bolts R are then arranged to connect said top and platform and clamp the panels between. These stay-bolts R are `prefera-bly arranged as shown, two being arranged on opposite sides of the drop portion c on each side of the platform and a second pair upon opposite sides of each end thereof. At their upper ends the bolts R are provided with eyes i, adapted to engage with 'the pins or bolts j on the side bars 7o of the top B. The lower ends of the bolts pass through the apertures in the sills and are threaded to receive IOC nuts Z. Thus when the nuts Z are tightened the top panels and platform will be rigidly secured together, so that the superstructure will form a brace or truss for strengthening the platform. For strengthening the structure laterally cross stay-b0lts, such as S, are arranged in front and rear and are adapted to clampthe side panels in engagement with the end panels.

Inl order to form a closed body, doors are provided for the opening between the panels N and O and at the opposite sides of the drop portion of the platform. A sliding door T is preferably employed for closing the opening in the upper portion ofthe body and a hinged door U for the opening in the drop portion. The door T may be supported in any suitable manner, such as by providing a rail V, secured to the top B, and hangers W, slidingly engaging said rail and secured to the door T. The doors U are hinged so as to be adapted to swing inward into adjacence to the wall of the drop portion.

It will be readily understood from the description above given that the body may be shipped in knockdown condition and may then be assembled by sim ply placing the parts in proper relation and clamping them together by the stay-bolts R and S. When thus 3o assembled, a Very strong'structure is produced, resulting both from trussing of the platform by the superstructure and also from the draft connection between the front axle and the drop portion of the platform. At the same time, as the body is supported by springs upon both front and rear axles, an easy riding quality is insured.

What I claim as my invention is- In a knockdown drop-body Vehicle, the combination with a platform having a central dropped portion, of forward and rear axles, springs for supporting said platform upon said axles, a reach connection between said forward axle and the dropped portion of said platform, and a superstructure comprising panels arranged forward and rear of said dropped-portion front and rear cross-panels, a top connecting said panels and stay-bolts extending from said top through said platform adjacent to the opposite ends thereof and said dropped portion, said bolts being adapted to detachably clamp said panels between said top and platform and form a truss for the latter.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALBERT Gr. NORTH.

Witnesses:

R. G. SOPER,

H. G. HAMILTON. 

